Conrad Koh Samui {THA}
Mar 12, 2018, 6:11 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: PER
Programs: Airlines - Only in the pointy end on points, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 284
Hi folks. I'm looking forward to my stay at CKS in a couple of weeks time over Easter and keen to understand more about the drink arrangements before I empty out Tesco's entire alcohol supply en route.
The wiki states that:
Happy Hour & Free Drinks:
--- Locations are Azure Bar & Grill (pool) 4-6PM and Main Lobby Lounge (mid-level) from 5-7PM
--- Non-alcoholic beverages are subject to the happy hour too
--- Only selected alcoholic beverages are included
- Diamond members also receive 4 drink coupons, Gold members receive 2 coupons (good at pool or mid-level hotel bar). Note: Coupons can be used throughout the day and are separate from the Happy Hour
A few follow up questions:
1. Does this mean that Happy hour drinks are 4-6pm served in Azure, and that from 5-7pm free drinks (served only to Golds and Diamonds?) are served in the Lobby Lounge?
2. Presumably the comment 'only selected alcoholic beverages are included' refer to the free drinks in the Lobby Lounge? If so, what type of drinks can I expect/not expect for a 5* luxury resort?
3. Does the Lobby Lounge bar get busy between 5-7pm with all the freeloaders like me? Would I need to arrive early to secure a good seat?
Thanks in advance.
The wiki states that:
Happy Hour & Free Drinks:
--- Locations are Azure Bar & Grill (pool) 4-6PM and Main Lobby Lounge (mid-level) from 5-7PM
--- Non-alcoholic beverages are subject to the happy hour too
--- Only selected alcoholic beverages are included
- Diamond members also receive 4 drink coupons, Gold members receive 2 coupons (good at pool or mid-level hotel bar). Note: Coupons can be used throughout the day and are separate from the Happy Hour
A few follow up questions:
1. Does this mean that Happy hour drinks are 4-6pm served in Azure, and that from 5-7pm free drinks (served only to Golds and Diamonds?) are served in the Lobby Lounge?
2. Presumably the comment 'only selected alcoholic beverages are included' refer to the free drinks in the Lobby Lounge? If so, what type of drinks can I expect/not expect for a 5* luxury resort?
3. Does the Lobby Lounge bar get busy between 5-7pm with all the freeloaders like me? Would I need to arrive early to secure a good seat?
Thanks in advance.
There are multiple happy hours across the different bars. The free drinks in the wiki refers to the coupons.
Mar 14, 2018, 3:57 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,481
The hotel is built at a steep mountainside. That means that the arrival lobby and the beach are at significant different heights. The villas are between them and all them are connected by a very winding and steep road. The standard of your villa affects at which height it is. The hotel offers a buggy service which works very well. But if you want to walk, it depends on where your villa is located at. It is easy to walk from a waterfront villa to the beach/main pool area or to the Zest restaurant for having breakfast. But it is a real kind of workout to walk to the Jahn restaurant or the arrival lobby from there.
It depends on you, which location is more suitable for you, if you prefer to stay closer to the beach or closer to the arrival lobby.
Of course, if you stay with kids, the 2-bedroom villa makes a lot of sense.
The other differences are not really important from my point of view as all villas are very nice.
Mar 15, 2018, 12:03 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Things may have changed since we were there in August but there was no free drink period for Diamonds. We had free drinks in the library but that was due to work being done on the pool.
There are multiple happy hours across the different bars. The free drinks in the wiki refers to the coupons.
There are multiple happy hours across the different bars. The free drinks in the wiki refers to the coupons.
Mar 15, 2018, 3:38 am
#36
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Le Club Gold, Leaders Club
Posts: 25
In January I got four vouchers as a Diamond, too. Could be used in all outlets (bars and restaurants), not sure about Jahn though (as we didn't go there). The drink voucher do not have anything to do with the happy hour (2 for 1), which you can use additionally.
Mar 18, 2018, 10:25 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OMA
Programs: AA PLT 1MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Gold, National Exec, Hertz 5-Star
Posts: 120
If what I've read so far is true, most of the villas are the same and elite status will allow you to request a higher level villa.
Mar 20, 2018, 5:19 am
#38
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
This is correct. I also received that in my confirmation email when we stayed there 2 years ago.
Mar 20, 2018, 9:57 am
#39
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
Similar to the warning HHV now provides at booking. Though that property continues to upgrade, despite the warning saying that they don't. Reducing expectations. They must get lots of complaints from guests disappointed with their room assignment.
Mar 21, 2018, 12:41 pm
#40
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DEN
Posts: 136
Just booked five nights with HHonors points in July. Will be our first trip to a resort like this so my wife and I are pretty excited. She recently picked up the Aspire so we'll be going in with Diamond status over Gold, although I'm not really sure how much extra that will get us.
I'm assuming it's worth contacting the hotel beforehand to let them know about what we're celebrating?
I'm assuming it's worth contacting the hotel beforehand to let them know about what we're celebrating?
Mar 21, 2018, 8:55 pm
#42
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: PIT-SCE-AOO-PHL-NYC-WAS
Programs: free agent
Posts: 1,033
I am ready to put 300k from Aspire, Ascend, and Business card + some leftover points toward CKS. However, I am wondering if CKS impose nonrefundable policy on award stay during high season? I noticed that Feb 2019 award stay is nonrefundable, while I decide to do dummy booking this October and notice that points can be refundable. Little hesitant to park 380k without any flexibility right now.
How's weather during October, but i assume it's wet season because paid rates is basically 50% off from February 2019 paid rates and upgrade chances should be much better.
How's weather during October, but i assume it's wet season because paid rates is basically 50% off from February 2019 paid rates and upgrade chances should be much better.
Mar 22, 2018, 10:41 pm
#43
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 612
I just returned from my stay and I was blown away. The property is abouslutely beautiful and I was treated so well by every single staff member I came in contact with. I truely felt appreciated for my Diamond status. I posted some video of the one and two bedrooms villas as well as some drone footage on my Facebook page. Feel free to check it out: facebook.com/chad.morton.10
Mar 23, 2018, 12:27 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,259
I just returned from my stay and I was blown away. The property is abouslutely beautiful and I was treated so well by every single staff member I came in contact with. I truely felt appreciated for my Diamond status. I posted some video of the one and two bedrooms villas as well as some drone footage on my Facebook page. Feel free to check it out: facebook.com/chad.morton.10
Mar 23, 2018, 9:38 am
#45
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: PIT-SCE-AOO-PHL-NYC-WAS
Programs: free agent
Posts: 1,033
I just returned from my stay and I was blown away. The property is abouslutely beautiful and I was treated so well by every single staff member I came in contact with. I truely felt appreciated for my Diamond status. I posted some video of the one and two bedrooms villas as well as some drone footage on my Facebook page. Feel free to check it out: facebook.com/chad.morton.10
